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Best Vacation Spots In Florida

Best Vacation Spots In Florida

Florida

HOT SPOTS IN FLORIDA

Emerald Coast

This serene stretch of the Gulf of Mexico ranks as a favorite for its sea-green coastal waters, gentle surf and beaches banked with fine sugary sand. Check out sweet small towns such as Apalachicola and Seaside where single-family homes (some with their own pool) can be the lodging of choice for your family vacation rental in Florida. Look for affordable homes within walking distance of the beach or multi-level beachside cottages where the sound of surf can lull you to sleep at night. You can find attractions, dining and city shopping at Panama City.

The Panhandle

Destin is the Most Visited City on the Emerald Coast

The Emerald Coast is a stretch of coastal area along the Gulf of Mexico that runs for roughly 100 miles through five counties on the Florida Panhandle. 4.5 million people visit the Emerald Coast each year, and Destin is the most popular destination. Over 80 percent of all the vacationers on the Emerald Coast come to Destin during their escape.

Gulf Coast & Barrier islands

The 35 miles of white-sand beaches from north of Clearwater Beach to south of St. Petersburg has earned the nickname the Sun Coast with an average of 361 days of sunshine a year claim that puts it ahead of Honolulu. Thousands of condos and posh family vacation rentals line the 20 barrier islands that make this a popular getaway for everyone from Floridians to global travelers, but you can also score affordable bungalows within walking distance of the many beaches. As a bonus, kids can visit Clearwater Aquarium, home of Winter from Dolphin Tale. Families also can head inland to Tampa for internationally acclaimed art museums, the Florida Aquarium, Museum of Science and Industry, and Busch Gardens" blend of zoo and amusement park.

Anna Maria Island

The quaint feel of Anna Maria Island makes it the perfect place to eat grouper sandwiches and kayak with dolphins. While you’re here visit Bean Point Beach, tucked away on the north end of the island — a cozy paradise with an Old Florida vibe. Then hop on over to Anna Maria Bayfront Park, which includes sweeping views of Tampa Bay and the iconic Sunshine Skyway. Numerous beaches, restaurants and events make Anna Maria Island the perfect relaxation spot for your next vacation.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands

Sheltered from the mainland hustle and bustle, the sweetly paced Sanibel Island draws families to beaches known for some of the world"s best shelling. Other finds include a cool shell museum, a top-notch wildlife refuge, dolphin cruises, quaint shopping and dining, and bike trails to make getting around more fun. You"ll find at least 1,900 family vacation rentals between Sanibel and Captiva Island, which are connected by a bridge. Sanibel, though, is home to most of the rentals (usually condos and beach houses) and features more family-friendly rates. Captiva Island, like a trip into Naples, Florida, can feel like Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous with sprawling estates that can sleep 30.

Southwest Florida

For every kid (or parent) who loves the sound of Batter up! and an afternoon watching baseball, this region from Bradenton down to Ft. Myers offers a peek at preseason major-league baseball. Part of the statewide Florida Grapefruit League, this southwest coast hosts the Pittsburgh Pirates, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins. It"s also a homerun area for fresh citrus markets and farms, watching for dolphins along beautiful white beaches, and finding thousands of affordable condo units and rentals on barrier islands, the coast and along inland waterways.

Florida Keys

You can find more than 3,500 family vacation rentals stretched throughout the string of Florida Keys south of Miami. Everything from throwback cabanas to ocean homes big enough for extended family can be found most of them on the water or a short walk away given the narrowness of the islands. Islamorada ranks among the most family-friendly Keys with Theater of the Sea marine park, and its special activities including dolphin swims. Marathon"s Turtle Hospital can be fun for aspiring marine biologists, veterinarians and animal lovers. Plan to spend most days at the beach or in the water snorkeling. Give yourself time to explore Florida Everglades National Park before or after the Keys.

Space Coast

Only 45 minutes from Orlando via Highway 528 (the Beachline), you can choose from more than 1,000 condos between Melbourne and Cocoa Beach. It"s ideal for families wanting to visit Orlando-area theme parks but also get time on the beach. If your kids love science, they can get their fill at the Kennedy Space Center, with hands-on exhibits, a chance to see space shuttles and even have lunch with astronauts. If you want to experience a wild beach with no development, head down Playalinda Road at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, watching for alligators and armadillos along the roadside, or head north to the Canaveral National Seashore. Prefer more action? Look for surfing lessons at places such as Cocoa Beach"s Ron Jon Surf School.

Best-known for the famed Daytona International Speedway, Daytona-area beaches stretch so widely and sand compacts so nicely, you can drive cars along them. That might not be ideal if you have energetic toddlers who need to run, but older kids will love the wide expanses to run and play. The variety and wealth of beaches assures families they can find a quiet stretch even during busy times like Daytona Bike Week each spring. Most of the approximately 1,000 coastal vacation rentals are condos that face the sunrise, but you can find beach homes and the best deals toward the edges of the most popular beaches, a block or two inland from the shore, or along the intercoastal waterway that faces the mainland.

Orlando Area

A private home, condo or townhome with a kitchen may not have the flash or big-wows of a resort hotel connected to theme parks, but you can save money with eating a big home-cooked breakfast and a dinner break, if possible. It"s also ideal for kids (or adults) who can"t handle more than a day or two of theme park crowds and waiting in lines. Family vacation rentals offer a way to relax and feel at home, too, often offering a private pool. You"ll find plenty of budget-friendly things to do in the Orlando area when not at the theme parks, from a day of play at regional parks to a day trek to the ocean.

Orlando is known for...

Theme Parks:

You could plan a whole week's vacation around the big three theme parks - Walt Disney World Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Universal Orlando Resort - and barely scratch the surface. At Animal Kingdom you can lunch with zebras and giraffes right outside the window. Discovery Cove, a sister park of SeaWorld, has guests touring the lagoon via An Atlantic bottlenose dolphin’s dorsal fin. Universal lets you fully immerse yourself in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Don't miss this if you're a Harry Potter fan!

Large Conventions:

The Orange County Convention Center is the second largest convention center in the nation. It plays host to trade shows and conventions that attract people from around the globe. The Surf Expo, Southern Women’s Show and the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions/IAAPA to name a few. This place is so large, in fact, if Chicago’s Sears Tower, 1,454 feet in height, was placed on its side, it would fit lengthwise inside the Orange County Convention Center’s exhibition space, including the antenna atop the Sears tower. And, get this: the Valencia Ballroom is larger than a football field, including the end zones. It can hold up to 6,000 people at one time.

Entertainment:

No matter what floats your boat, you can do it in Orlando. Downtown Disney and Universal CityWalk provide adults with a one-stop destination for all sorts of entertainment. CityWalk is home to Blue Man Group, Hard Rock Cafe, Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville, and a host of bars and dance clubs. Downtown Disney is the permanent home to Cirque du Soleil (a must if you've never been, and great for families) as well a House of Blues stage, and Pleasure Island . . . another cluster of bars and dance clubs. Sand Lake Road holds countless restaurants with live music. Downtown is legendary for weekend festivals. And International Drive has everything from helicopter rides and simulated skydiving to a Ripley's Museum and cinema multiplex. B.B. King's Restaurant & Blues Club has one of the best house bands in America; dancing is irresistable here. Get your vacation on in Orlando.

Natural Beauty:

Orlando not only has plenty of green space, it also has lots of lakes. . . there are nearly 100 of them! From boating to jet skiing to fishing, there are a number of ways to enjoy being out on the water. Parks are easy to come by, too. Stroll alongside Lake Eola Park, admire the award-winning Camelias at Harry P. Leu Gardens, or pack a picnic lunch and head for Cypress Grove. Theme Parks give the impression that everything in Orlando is man- made, but what Mother Nature put here first is magnificent.

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